Refrigerator latch



Dec. 31, 1929. c. G. STROTZ 1,741,546

REFRIGERATOR LATCH File Sept- 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 31, 1929. c. G. STROTZ 1,741,546

REFRIGERATOR LATCH Filed 'p 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 31, 1929. Q G, STROTZ 1,741,546

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Patented Dec. 31, 1929 UNITED STATES CARL G. STROTZ, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI REFRIGERATOR LATCH Application filed September 5, 1925. Serial No. 54,682.

My invention relates to latches for large commercial refrigerators and ice boxes, and, it is a distinct and practical improvement to overcome certain practical objections to, and

5 defects in the construction of latches employing a spring for normally holding the latch member thereof in its lowermost, or closed position.

An object of my invention is to provide a refrigerator and ice box latch wherein the outside handle is in direct contact with the latch member for raising the latch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a latch wherein the latch case is provided with a rearwardly fixed shoulder for the latch member to rest upon when in. its raised, or open position, which can be replaced when it has become worn.

A further object of the invention is to provide a latch wherein the latch member is provided with a removably fixed rest platewhich can be replaced when it has become worn.

A further object of the invention is to provide a latch wherein an inside handle is provided with a cam arm having an anti-friction roller for contact with the lower face of the latch member for raising the latch member from its closed position to an open position from within the refrigerator, or ice box.

A further object of the invention is to proforming a part of this specification, wherein like characters of reference denote similar parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1, is a rear elevation of a latch embodying the structural features of my invention and shown as applied to a refrigerator with portions therof broken away to clearly illustrate the latch. The latch member is'shown in its closed position.

Fig. 2, is a sectional view of the latch taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, on a reduced scale.

Fig. 3, is'a rear elevation of the. latch with the upper portion thereof borken away, the latch member thereof being shown in its raised, or open position. v

Fig. 4, is a detail in perspective of the cam arm which is fixed to the inner end of a rod to which the inside handle is fixed.

Fig. 5, is a sectional view of the latch taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6, is a side elevation of the latch with the latch member in a closed position.

Fig. 7 is a detail in perspective of a portion of the side of the latch and a portion of the keeper clearly showing the shoulder for the latch member to rest upon when in afi open position and also showing the removable wear plate of the latch.

Fig. 8, is a front elevation of the keeper vide a latch wherein the keeper thereof has atwwith the upper portion thereof broken away.

member which is adjustable toward and away from the latch member. I

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a latch wherein the keeper is provided with an adjustable latch member kick-off element independent of the aforesaid adjustable keeper member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator latch, which possesses advantages in points of simplicity and efficiency, and, at the same time proves itself comparatively inexpensive in cost of manufacture.

Withthe above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and finally pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

60 Referring to the accompanying drawi'ngs Fig. 9, is a detail in perspective of the back plate of the casing.

Fig. 10, is a detail in perspective of a portion of the latch showing the modification eliminating the shoulder plate of the back plate and the Wear plate of the latch.

Fig. 11, is a perspective view of a modified form of keeper.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 represents the wall of a refrigerator or ice box, and 2, the door therefor.

l n carrying out the aim of my present invention, I employ a hollow latch casing 3 which may be of any suitable shape. The. casing is provided with a plurality of suit-' able ears 4.- having openings 5 for receiving suitable fastening devices 6 for retaining the latch case in position upon the door. The casing is provided with a slotted opening 7 set-screw 23 which is secured to a boss 24.

in. its front wall 8 and with a cutaway portion 9 having an open side in its side wall 10.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the front wall. of the casing is provided with a rearwardly directed pivot stud 11 upon which is pivotally mounted one end of a latch member 12. The opening 13 of the latch member'12 which receives the stud 11 is tapered so that the rear end of the opening is larger in diameter than the front end thereof, as shown in Fig. 2. The front face of the latch casing surrounding the opening-13 is raised to provide a boss 14 and this boss is provided with a curved face 15 to engage the seat 16 surrounding the base of the stud 11. This arrangement permits of a rocking motion of the latch member 12 when the outer end of the latch member 12 is being raised, as will be apparent hereinafter.

The latch member 12 is provided intermediate its ends with a rectangular opening 17 for receiving the spherical head 18 of a sub-' stantially J shaped outside operating handle 19 which handle is pivotally connected, as at 20 to a air of ears 20' positioned on opposite sides 0 the front wall opening 7.

A suitable coiled spring 21 is connected at its upper end to an ear 22 which is directed downwardly from the latch member 12 op posite the rectangular opening 17 therein. The lower end of the spring is connected to a 1 The lower end of the spring is positioned 'to the rear of the upper end thereof for the purpose 6f pulling the latch member 12 toward the rear of the case.

\ As shown in Fig. 2, the front wall of the case is provided upon its inner face below and to one side of the stud 11 with socket 25 adapted to receivethe inner end of a rod 26 which passes throu h the door 2. A suitable handle 27 is remova ly fixed to the inner end of the rod 26 by means of a pair of suitable fastening devices, such as set screws 28, which engage the flat faces 29 of the rod, as shown in Fig. 1 to prevent slipping of the handle'thereon. A suitable cam arm 30 is suitably fixed to the inner end of the rod 26 to the rear of the socket'25 and is bifurcated to receive a suitable anti-friction roller 31 which engages the lower face of the latch 12, as clearlyf shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5 for raising the latch from the interior of the refrigerator, or ice box.

As shown-in detail in Fig. 9, the numeral 32 represents a suitable back plate of the easing which includes the right angularly disposed front arm 33 and the downwardly directed rear arm 34. The back plate is fixed to the casing to the rear of the latch member 12 and cam arm 30 by means of suitable fastening devices, such as set screws 35 having engagement with three bosses 36 of the casing and'the stud 11, as shown in Fig. 1. Arm 34 of plate 32'is provided with an opening 37 for the rod 26 to pass through, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This plate 32 prevents excess displacement of the latch member 12 when tilted or rocked aboutits pivot when moving form its lower or closed position to its raised, or open position. v

Arm 33 of the plate 32 spans the open side of the sideopening of latch case, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 7. A hardened steel shoulder plate38 is removably fixed to the inside face of arm 33 and its upper face is beveled or inclined as at 39 for use of a hardened wear plate 40 which is removably fixed to the lower face of the latch member 12 to rest upon when the latch is in its raised position. x e shoulder plate 38 retains the latch in this uppermost raised position until released by closing the door 2, by means which will now be described. I

The inner face of the plate 32 does not engage the latch 12, but is provided with boss 32 that engages the end face of the stud 11, as shown in Fig. 2. The latch member 12 however also engages the shoulder plate 38 where it passes out of the casing, as clearly shown in Fig. 7.

In the modified form of my invention, as

shown in Fig. 10, it will be observed that I eliminate both the shoulder plate 38 and the wear plate 40, when it is not desired to retain the latch in its raised position after opening the refrigerant door.

The means for releasing or kicking the latch member 12 off of the shoulder plate 38 consists of a screw threaded stud 41 fixed to and extending forwardly from an arm 42 which extends upwardly from a socket 1nember 43 which is adjustably mounted upon a horizontally disposed arm 44 of a bracket plate 45, which plate is suitably fixed to the wall of the refrigerator or ice box alongside of the door opening thereof. A nut 46 is screw threadedly mounted for adjustment on the screw threaded stud 41 and is retained in its properly adjusted position by means of a lock nut 47 so as to engage the latch member 12 when thedoor is being closed for removing the latch member 12 from its resting shoulder 39.

A keeper 48 is formed integral with the adjustably mounted socket member 43 and is provided with an inclined inner face 49 and an inclined outer face 50 as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. As shown in Fig. 8, the socket member 43 issplit, as at 51 and provided with a clamp screw 52 for retaining the socket member 43 in its properly adjusted position upon the SUPPOItlIl" arm 44 of the bracket plate 45. By provi ing independent adjustment means for the keeper 48 and the latch kick off means, it will be pbserved that it is not necessary to adjust the keeper 48 when it is only desired to adjust the nut 46 ofthekick off means.

It will be observed that when the door 2 is being closed, that the nut 46' W11 force 50 1 from the inside of the refrigerator; that I the latch member 12'free of engagement with I into contact with the inclined bearing face 49 'raised position,

a in its raised position upon of the keeper 48 by the action of the coiled spring 21 which positivel closes the refrigerator door 2. Should t 1e bearing face 49 of the keeper 48 become worn the socket member 43 ismoved rearwardly upon the arm 44 the desired distance and then firmly fixed thereto, as is manifest.

If for any reason the latch member 12 has been removed from the shoulder plate 38 when the door is in an open position, or when it is not desired to employ the latch member kick off means and the shoulder plate for the latch member -12'to rest upon when in its the anti-friction roller 53 will ride upwardly upon the outer inclined face 50 of the keeper thereby raising the outer end of the latch member 12 until it rides over the apex of the keeper when'the spring 21 will pull the latch member 12 downwardly causing the anti-friction roller 53 to engage the inside bearing surface 49 of the keeper thereby forcing the door to a closed position and retain the door in such position until the latch has been again raised by either the outside handle 19 or the inside handle 27.

In the modification shown in Fig. 11, I provide a keeper 48 which is not adjustably mounted upon an arm 44, as shown in Fig. 6, but which is integral with an arm 44' of the bracket plate 45. i

a From the foregoing description, it is evident that I provide a refrigerator latch wherein the latch 12 may be either retained a fixed shoulder plate until the door is closed or permitted to drop immediately upon the releasing of either handle 19 or 27.

It is further evident'that I provide .a latch wherein the outside handle has direct contact with the latch, without employing unnecessary connections therebetween; that rPIOVldG a cam member for engaglng the lower face ofthe latch for raising the latch provide an adjustable keeper and further an adjustable kick off means for removing the latch from a fixed shoulder when in its raised position. It will also be apparent that the latch is tiltable due to its pivotal connection with the stud 11, which permits the spring 21 to pull the latch ,rearwardly sufiicient to rest the same upon the shoulder plate 88 after it has been raised to its uppermost position by means of either the inside or outside handle.

The many advantagesofthe herein de scribed invention will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which it appcrtains.

side handle I do not wish to be understood as having limited myself to the exact details of construction and arrangement of parts as herein 1. In a refrigerator latch structure, a casing, a back plate for the casing, a keeper, a spring actuated pivotally mounted and laterall movable latch member having an opening therein partly disposed within the casing and adapted to cooperate with the keeper to retain a refrigerator door in its closed position, a pivotally supported outside handle having its inner end disposed in said latch opening and in direct contact with the latch member for raising the latch member for disengagement with the keeper, a shoulderplate removably fixed to the back plate for retaining the latch member in its raised position when disengaged from the keeper, and an adjustable forwardly directed element disposed above and to the rear of the keeper which the latch member is adapted to strike against when closing the door for removing the latch member from the shoulder plate for permitting it to fall behind and in engagement with the keeper. I I

2. In a refrigerator latch structure, a casing, a keeper, a spring actuated pivotally mounted latch member partly disposed within the casing and adapted to cooperate with the keeper-to retain a refrigerator door in its closed position, a pivotally supported outhaving direct contact at its inner end with the latch member for raising the latch member for disengagement with I keeper, an adjustable forwardly directed element disposed above and to the rear of the keeper which the latch member is adapted to strike against when closing the door for removing the latch member from the shoulderplate for permitting it to fall behind and in engagement with the keeer, an inside handle, a rod passing through the door and into the casing, a socket disposed below the latch member for receiving the inner end of said rod, a cam arm fixed to the inner end of the arm below the latch member and a roller pivotally supported by said cam arm for contact with the lower face of the latch member for elevating the latch member from being, a s ring closed latch member pivotallj mounte partly within said casing, a handle pivotally connected to said casing, the lowerend of said handle extending into the casing through an opening in the front wall thereof a and provided with a spherical head and said said latch member having a rectangular opening intermediate its ends for the receptionof said spherical head to permit raising of the latch member by actuating the handle and fixcd means carried by the casing for retain- I ing the latch member in its elevated position.

5. In a refrigerator latch structure, a casing, a spring closed latch member 'pivotally mounted partly within said casing, a handle pivotally connected to said casing, the lower end of said handle extending into the cas ing through an opening in the front wall thereof and provided with a spherical head, said latch member having a rectangular opening intermediate itsends for the reception of said spherical head to permit raising of the latch member by actuating the handle, fixed means carried by the casing for retaining the latch member in its elevated position, an inside handle, a rod to which said handle is fixed and a cam fixed to the inner end of the rod for contact with the lower face of the latch member for elevating the latch member by actuating the inside handle.

6. A refrigerator latch structure, a keeper, a support for adjustably mounting the keeper, an arm extending upwardly from the keeper to the rear thereof, a screw threaded stud directed forwardly from said arm above the keeper, a nut mounted upon said screw threaded stud and a lock nutfor retaining the nut againstdisplacement. 1

7 "n a refrigerator latch structure, a casing. a keeper, a spring closed pivotally mounted latch member partly disposed within the casing and adapted to cooperate with the keeper, {a back plate fixed to the casing a shoulder plate removably fixed to said back plate and a contact plate removably fixed to the lower face of said latch member adapted for resting engagement upon said shoulder plate when the latch member is in an-elevated position.

8. In a refrigerator latch structure, the

' combination with a door and a frame therefor,

of a keepersecured to said frame, a casing secured to said door, a latch member mounted 1 on said casing and adapted to rock in two greases directions at an angle to each other, an out side pivotally supported handle, a spherical head formed on the inner end of said handle and receivable in a rectangular shaped opening intermediate the ends of said latch member and adapted for engagement with the upper wall of the opening for swinging the latch member upwardly at its keeper engaging end for retracting the latch member from the keeper, a stationary shoulder plate carried by said casing an ear depending from said latch member below the latch opening, a coiled spring secured at its lower end to the cas ng and at its upper end to said latch ear for imparting lateral swinging movement to the latch member for seating the latch member when in its raised position upon said shoulder plate and an adjustable forwardly directedacontact member associated with the keeper for disengaging the latch member from the shoulder plate when the door is swung to a glosed position whereupon the aforesaid coiled spring then imparts downligvard swinging movement to the latch memer. v

9. In a refrigerator latch structure, the combination with a door and a frame therefor, of a keeper secured to said frame, a casing secured to said door, a latch member mounted on said casing and adapted to rock in two y directions at an angle to each other, an outside pivotally, supported handle, a spherical head formed on the inner end of said handle and receivablein a rectangular shaped open- -ing intermediate the ends of said latch member and adapted for engagement with the upper wall of the opening for swinging the latch member upwardly at its keeper engaging end for retracting the latch member from the keeper, a stationary shoulder plate carried by said casing, an ear depending from said latch member below the latch. opening, a

coiled spring secured at its lower endto the casing and at its upper end to said latch earfor imparting lateral swinging movement to the latch member forseating the latch member when in its raised position upon said shoulder plate, an',adj'ustable forwardly dian antifriction roller rotatably mounted at the free end of the cam member and normally engageable with the lower face of the latch member below the latch member opening and a hand actuated inside handle secured to said rod adjacent the innerface of the door. I

10. In a refrigerator latch structure, the combination with a door and a frame therefor, a keeper support secured to said frame, a keeper member adjustably mounted upon said keeper support, a latch kick off member carried by said keeper, a casing secured to the door, a latch member mounted at one end on said casing and adapted to rock in two directions at an angle to each other, an outside handle and an inside handle for rocking the latch member in one direction, a stationary shoulder plate carried by the casing, a coiled spring for rocking the latch member in a direction after it has been rocked by either the outer or the inside handle for seating it upon said shoulder plate.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature to the specification.

CARL G. STROTZ. 

